Regulatory actions and programs

Andy Sieg, head of the firm, says that "operational changes" are possible if the rule is delayed or overturned.

The latest developments make columnist Bob Veres wonder whether he has fallen through a wormhole.

“It starts out small,” the advisor told his compliance officer, authorities say. “You think you are going to pay it back.”

Just in case clients are looking to cut few corners, here are some of the most common tax frauds that the agency is ready to pounce upon.

An adviser at the firm squandered the aging clients' retirement money on oil and gas investments and Puerto Rico bonds, their lawyer said.

The broker was terminated after a series of unauthorized transactions involving the accounts of customers of both BBVA and its affiliate bank, FINRA claimed.

In spite of its own compliance policies, the firm failed to get several hundred clients to sign a disclosure notice that described risks associated with inverse ETFs.

The regulator rebuked the broker for excessive trading that generated more than $666,000 in commissions and fees and resulted in $397,000 in losses.

SEC staff recommended this solution as far back as 2011.

A new comment period would give the administration time to prepare for legal challenges anticipated after it puts a delay into place, one expert says.